Oceania Insignia Ship Tour and Review (Post-Refit)

[@mattg5878]

I did New York-Newport-bar harbour-Halifax-Bermuda-new York on Insignia Summer 2018. Loved it. Insignia is my perfect ship. Quiet, not busy, very impressive staff and standard of facilities, great food, great drinks. The woman doing the enrichment lectures had no idea what she was talking about (completely historically incorrect) and unorganised. Embarrassing, but I guess they can be hit or miss. I wish I could afford to go on it more (but I’m only 30 with wife and now a young child, and while my parents were with us in Insignia, they won’t pay a penny for my holidays - means I understand the value I guess 😒)

[@leochen887]

Now widowed and 84, my children have asked me to join them on cruises; a reversal of when we were all younger. And, yes, they would pick up the tab. Hey, that's a deal; in the past my wife and I would have a party of 7 and a large round table assigned just for us in the main dining room! A side benefit was that my kids learned about the geography and culture of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean and Bermuda and Hawaii. We also had reservations for Alaska, but then Covid cut us short.

[@tuvia4082]

As always Gary, great job, keep up the good work!

[@barbaranelson5177]

Beautiful

[@widesmash]

may use this ship from Barbados to Miami .. not looking forward to. Looks awful! Old ship refitted.

[@TheBBBB0B]

Thanks, Gary. Nicely done video. Great tour of the newly revamped Next style.

[@bob_frazier]

Beautiful. Is it worth the money Gary? Even at the "on sale" prices of two to four hundred dollars a day it's probably not for me, but that does not keep me from wishing it was, nor being appreciative of your expertise.

[@DaveM-FFB]

Interesting perspective on the cost. I used to celebrate bookings of $100 - $200 per day on the mass market ships. But when you add in all of the inevitable extras, it's 2x to 3x that cost. Might as well get a luxury experience for that same price with most of the extras included upfront.

[@websterhays8352]

I'm looking for a cruise line that allows smoking. Is that possible?

[@tipsfortravellers]

On lines they have smoking areas on deck. A few have smoking rooms (some Princess, Hapag Lloyd, Oceania) and now almost none allow smoking on balconies

[@websterhays8352]

@@tipsfortravellers So I would assume not in the dining room?

[@tfung8]

Do waste you money unless you really like bad seasick. Production show only consists of 4 people, music only play 45 minutes per day. All their money is spent on mailing advertising, 2 or 3 books per day in my mail box. Lobster is dry, tough with frozen taste. Specialty restaurants are not that good at all. Service is OK. Free wines is bad, $2.580 per bottle. I been to 250 cruises, this is the worst experience. Lots of adverting, most are paid KZbinR with free cruises, money, etc. and highly bias.. Do not believe them. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS WORTHLESS CRUISE. Small ship, Regent is the best, Vikings is second.

[@infectdiseaseepidemiology2599]

We sailed on Regatta, Seattle to Miami 3 years ago. It was great for us-no excess formality, interesting people for the most part-well educated, well spoken, and unpretentious. Most even cared about learning. No children added much. It’s a tasteful line, with good cuisine, plenty of quiet balanced with activities, and no nickel and diming. This is my choice line.

[@barbaranelson5177]

Beautiful

[@lindalacampagne5436]

Just returned from our first cruise on Oceania Insignia. Food was excellent; staff the best we have encountered on a ship. Only negative for us was the size of the bathroom/shower. Will only sail Riviera, Marina or Vista in the future. Azamara seems to have handled the shower size more efficiently - or my memory is fading!

[@tfung8]

Regent is the best. Oceania is a dump. Do waste you money unless you really like bad seasick. Production show only consists of 4 people, music only play 45 minutes per day. All their money is spent on mailing advertising, 2 or 3 books per day in my mail box. Lobster is dry, tough with frozen taste. Specialty restaurants are not that good at all. Service is OK. Free wine are cheap $2.50 a botte. I been to 250 cruises, this is the worst experience. Lots of adverting, most are paid KZbinR with free room etc. and highly bias.. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS WORTHLESS CRUISE.

[@davidkappadahl9085]

We love your videos. We were supposed to be on Cunard Queen Elizabeth to alaska but got cancelled...based on your reviews and others we decided to got Oceania Regatta for 11 days. Did you check out the onboard shops and were their luxury name brands? Watches?? Deals?? Keep up the Great work!! Not sure it is Work.... :o)

[@898688tim]

Gary, having just gotten off my third Azamara cruise the Insignia obviously the same class of ship. How would you differentiate the two cruise lines?

[@thejokerspeaks]

We're planning to try the Luxury-Light market in 2022, Oceania, Azamara, Viking Ocean, or Windstar. A reposition deal preferred, but we're open to paying more for an exotic itinerary. These videos are helpful!

[@OppoA-dy8xy]

Why all the ship in oceania salari ia too small..only 800 for low position and 2500 for CDP..for Indonesia only 800_1500 for the cook..it suppoae 5000 dollars for low position in kitchen..is balanced for the hardtime on working Cruise ship...specially in oceania very fuckthough..

[@lynnleipold2617]

Have heard a bad review of the food on Insignia recently. Loyal Oceania cruisers. Have always had good food on Oceania. Leaving from Bangkok on June 2. Help!

[@rebeccalyons1327]

Hi. Have you cruised with Oceania post Covid? If so was the food of the same quality? The CruiseCritic reviews look disappointing of late.

[@henrypullman4729]

This ship is very beautiful its has that old titanic look to it I love that look

[@rebecca9315]

Our fav cruise line. We have been on all but Insignia,Sirenia & new Vista .we are in our mid 60’s now and love the ship sizes, excellent staff , and of course the food! Home away from home. Last cruise was in 11/22. Looking forward to getting on Vista next year.

[@user-oo3uj5ku9r]

Thanks sir! Heading out to Bermuda on Oceania and looking forward to it!

[@barbarabieber-hamby3125]

Love Oceania. Have not sailed on Insignia or Marina, but would expect the same rewarding experience on either ship also Riviera,Regatta, Sirena, Nautica, As I grew up sailing, both racing and cruising offshore on family boats, Sail not Power, my first cruise to Alaska on Regatta many years ago was with real trepidation, 694 people + crew, bit more than the six to eight of us it took to crew off shore! Great food and the only way I can get my spouse to leave home! Wonderful people both fellow passengers and crew. Highly recommend Oceania to every one.

[@1billwill]

Thank you Gary great video, Keep up the good work.

[@ducheau100]

to me this looks like a cross between celebrity and crystal. Not as upscale as crystal but more than celebrity

[@kays749]

On my wish list! I love the R class ships, and I've done Pacific Princess more than once.

[@cruisecrazy7066]

I love the Pacific Princess and the old Ocean Princess. Too bad that they sold the Ocean. Definitely higher class and better food than the other Princess ships.

[@TravelAgentCale]

I'm with ya on that!

[@lynnleipold2617]

We are booked on Insignia in June for a wonderful Asian itinerary. We probably sailed on her years ago when she was part of the Renaissance fleet. I will miss Red Ginger which we had on Marina last year. We will also miss Jaques. But the itinerary on this won out. Oceania and Viking ocean are our two favorite lines. Unless Oceania has changed dramatically, we are looking forward to a wonderful cruise! Thanks so much for all the great information!

[@gordonbaillie7536]

Gary, Thanks as always for your great review. I've heard that Oceania is a nice step up from Princess. Would be interested in hearing your thoughts, especially as they relate to the differences between the two lines in regards to the R-Class ships.

[@DaveM-FFB]

We're scheduled to sail on their Riviera ship, and we're anxious to book on the new Vista ship. Thanks Gary.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Nice! I’m definitely going to book that too. The drawings of it look great

[@lynnleipold2617]

Thanks!

[@LaszloBagi]

I read a lot of complaints about the size of the bathroom....are they really that tight?

[@youtubewatcher1135]

I'm sorry to see that the casino area is much larger than it was on Regatta on a cruise we took on her several years ago. We loved that the casino then was roped off and the area used for cocktails and special activities. We were under the impression that the casino would be closed entirely. For us and our friends and those with whom we shared cocktails , it was huge plus NOT to have a noisy casino.

[@joyoftraveling2020]

Looking forward to be on this ship in July of 2022

[@maurieshakespeare5835]

Great report! Have been on the Azamara R class ships and the only negative was that tiny bathroom. Happy that you feel the glass has improved the usability.

[@yyminna]

Well Done, thanks very much

[@TravelAgentCale]

Thank you so much for sharing! This is one on my to do list for sure! See you on the Sea!

[@svetlanageyfman2476]

What is beverage package on insignia?

[@harunaksu322]

An eager "food photographer" at 1:29 hmmmmm, yummy!

[@lynnleipold2617]

Thanks!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Wow thanks ! Much appreciated!

[@wendykoek6757]

It is a nice ship with plenty to offer travellers on a cruise

[@fares-please]

Great review! Would love to sail her one day 🙂

[@zzzland1]

Good video, Gary. Well done.

[@Edgetravelguy]

well done...so informative

[@imthefuture1448]

Worst ship ever! Bad food,poor service...skip it!

[@donnadifonzo339]

which ship are you referring to? Holland America which was mentioned higher up from your comment or this Insignia. Thanks.

[@charlesredick9424]

Thank you for the update. You didn’t mention that the ship update includes new much better TVs and USB ports on either dog the bed and by the desk. Also electrical sockets by the bedsides not just by the desk.

[@charlesredick9424]

Sorry. On either SIDE of the bed.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Yes built into the lamps

[@barbaranelson5177]

I’m leaving on the Holland America Eurodame on January 4th I have been I. A lot of cruises and booked this trip with out checking much out now I hear it is the worst ship to sail on that they have absolutely no activities, except a cooking show and environmental show , two weeks is gonna be a long time if this is true please tell me they at least have shows in the evening

[@barbaranelson5177]

Do they at least have nightly shows

[@barbaranelson5177]

Thank You for the confirmation

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Hey..... Whats with the Abercrombie and Fitch t shirt? I hope you were well paid for that plug.

[@Little_But_Fierce_NZ]

I am thinking about doing a Caribbean cruise on the new Vista in 2024 and I’ve checked out a few YT videos re Oceania Cruises. Annoyingly I’ve noticed all the American reviewers say Oceana and not Oceania. I really appreciate that you get it right. Thanks Gary, love your videos. I’ve just finished watching your latest Q&A and am binge watching your older videos. Excellent tips and advice.